Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Overtime Statistics.

Richard Bruton

Question:

126 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of hours overtime worked, in the most recent twelve month period for which figures are available, by persons employed by his Department or by public bodies under the aegis of his Department; the proportion this represents of total man hours worked; and the impact the proposed EC Directive on working hours will have on reducing this level of overtime.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The total number of hours overtime worked for the 12 months period of 1992 by persons employed in my Department was 250,300. This represents some 3.5 per cent of total man hours worked in the Department during 1992.

There are two public bodies under the aegis of my Department — the combat poverty agency and the pensions board. No overtime was worked in the combat poverty agency during 1992 while 114 hours overtime was worked in the pensions board. This represented some 0.6 per cent of the total man hours worked in the board during 1992.

The impact of the proposed directive is dependent on a number of factors, yet to be clarified, but it is not expected to have any significant effect on reducing the level of overtime either in my Department or in the public bodies attached to my Department. I will, of course, be attentive to any developments on the Directive which might affect the situation.